Final Fantasy VIII is my favorite game I've ever played, and I've played hundreds of games, here's why. I didn't like the clumsy draw system, but I liked the characters, story, and immersion. The draw system was just weird, so I basically never used it, except to heal. The Guardian Forces made it way to easy to defeat just about any enemy. You also have to grind if you want to upgrade your weapons, or at least I think you do, I'm still not clear on that. There's also that very steep learning curve, despite you spending the first couple of hours of the game learning how to play it.
 
The story did get a little strange when you find out that they all went to the same orphanage as children, but I think that's one of the key themes in the game. Destiny, since not only did they all grow up together, but Julia is Rinoa's  mother and Laguna is Squall's father, they fell in love, but it didn't work out since Laguna was injured in the war. Then Rinoa and Squall fell in love in the game.
 
I also found that I could relate to the characters, especially Squall, since I'm also a socially awkward introvert. Squall starts out very self-centered and a loner, throughout the game, he becomes more caring and open. It starts when he has the eye opening experience that is Seifer's alleged death. Then he was worried about the Selphie and the others who went to the missile base.
 
I haven't even finished it yet, but it's by far the best game I've ever played and the level of immersion is amazing. It also gave me the idea for my upcoming novel. I am very emotionally invested into the game, the story, the characters, everything. I didn't think I could get like this, especially over a video game. What did you think of the game? And has a game ever had an affected you like this before?

You just copy and pasted a post from another thread to make this thread. Why?

You just copy and pasted a post from another thread to make this thread. Why?

http://www.giantbomb.com/final-fantasy-viii/61-12277/one-of-my-favorite-video-games-final-fantasy-viii/35-464402/#4
 
Your response to OppressiveStink is this thread. 
 
Edit: Which you were clever enough to go back and delete. Well played, sir.

http://www.giantbomb.com/final-fantasy-viii/61-12277/one-of-my-favorite-video-games-final-fantasy-viii/35-464402/#4  Your response to OppressiveStink is this thread.   Edit: Which you were clever enough to go back and delete. Well played, sir.

@IBurningStar said:

http://www.giantbomb.com/final-fantasy-viii/61-12277/one-of-my-favorite-video-games-final-fantasy-viii/35-464402/#4  Your response to OppressiveStink is this thread.   Edit: Which you were clever enough to go back and delete. Well played, sir.

This was originally my reply to @OppressiveStink, but I edited it a lot, and then made it a topic.

Good for you, OP. For me, it was MGS2.

Wait....I just saw this exact same post on completely different forum....